tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61435360878793482362018-03-05T07:43:40.638-08:00Joyful Rigor with Ms. JonesBrookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-2942605283112329922015-06-15T14:04:00.001-07:002015-06-15T14:04:41.827-07:00A GIVEAWAY from some AMAZING Teacher Authors!!Whew!! Alright y'all, I have to admit, the end of the school year plus closing on a new house and moving hit me hard! As a result, I have completely neglected my blog. BUT, I am super excited that I get to jump back into the blogging world with an awesome GIVEAWAY for you!! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I am so excited to bring you a fabulous giveaway from some of your favorite teacher bloggers. We are giving away TWO prizes! A $260 Target Gift Card and a TPT bundle valued at almost $100! Please see the rafflecopter below for how to enter. Best of luck!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Host</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEVJIULYYaQ/VXZz8Sr0-kI/AAAAAAAACFg/SqRwQRW7YLk/s1600/Teach.%2BInspire.%2BChange..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEVJIULYYaQ/VXZz8Sr0-kI/AAAAAAAACFg/SqRwQRW7YLk/s1600/Teach.%2BInspire.%2BChange..jpg" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.teachinspirechange.com/" target="_blank">Teach. Inspire. Change.</a></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Co-Hosts</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Q3FB5rCEE4/VXZs-6icPuI/AAAAAAAACEw/o_oovN8Dct0/s1600/Slide1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Q3FB5rCEE4/VXZs-6icPuI/AAAAAAAACEw/o_oovN8Dct0/s640/Slide1%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherswithpolish.com/" target="_blank">Teachers With Polish</a> / <a href="http://www.inspiredowlscorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Inspired Owl's Corner</a> / <a href="http://www.laugheatlearn.com/" target="_blank">Laugh Eat Learn</a> / <a href="https://simplyspecialed.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Simply Special Ed</a> / <a href="http://www.topdogteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Top Dog Teaching</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkarXAIYdnM/VXZs-2a75rI/AAAAAAAACE8/M5nmwGRLPXI/s1600/Slide2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IkarXAIYdnM/VXZs-2a75rI/AAAAAAAACE8/M5nmwGRLPXI/s640/Slide2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://schoolandthecityblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">School and the City</a> / <a href="http://www.pawsitivelyteaching.com/" target="_blank">Pawsitively Teaching</a> / <a href="http://%22www.kaylaintheclassroom.blogspot.com%20%22/" target="_blank">Kayla in the Classroom</a> / <a href="http://www.mrsblacksbees.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Black's Bees</a> / <a href="http://thebrownbagteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Brown Bag Teacher</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBe2BushvaI/VXZs-8g_HuI/AAAAAAAACE0/XOl1p8gDpls/s1600/Slide3%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBe2BushvaI/VXZs-8g_HuI/AAAAAAAACE0/XOl1p8gDpls/s640/Slide3%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.triedandtrueteachingtools.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tried &amp; True Teaching</a>&nbsp;/ <a href="http://www.lessonswithlaughter.com/" target="_blank">Lessons with Laughter</a> / <a href="http://www.sailingintosecond.com/" target="_blank">Sailing into Second</a> / <a href="http://soaringthroughsecond.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Soaring Through Second</a> / <a href="http://www.theprimarygal.com/" target="_blank">The Primary Gal</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QNLK5yCZN2k/VXZs_VEzzRI/AAAAAAAACE4/k0_smLCyvr0/s1600/Slide4%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QNLK5yCZN2k/VXZs_VEzzRI/AAAAAAAACE4/k0_smLCyvr0/s640/Slide4%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.talkprayshop.com/" target="_blank">Talk Pray Shop</a> / <a href="http://ateachableteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Teachable Teacher</a> / <a href="http://joyfulrigorwithmsjones.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joyful Rigor With Ms. Jones</a> / <a href="http://sparklinginsecondgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sparkling in Second</a> /<a href="http://www.itselementarymydear.com/" target="_blank"> It's Elementary My Dear!</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQVuvHSZbkk/VXZs_rk90qI/AAAAAAAACFM/A7c9FCLsVi4/s1600/Slide5%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQVuvHSZbkk/VXZs_rk90qI/AAAAAAAACFM/A7c9FCLsVi4/s640/Slide5%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ramonarecommends.com/" target="_blank">Ramona Recommends</a> / <a href="http://www.easyteachingtools.com/" target="_blank">Easy Teaching Tools</a> / <a href="http://onesharpbunch.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">One Sharp Bunch</a> / <a href="http://akindergartenlifeforme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Kindergarten Life for Me</a> /<a href="http://www.ebcamps.com/blog" target="_blank"> EB Academic Camps</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Our TPT Bundle includes the following items (all valued at almost $100!)</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Research-Paper-Complete-Unit-1175558" target="_blank">Research Paper Packet</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personalized-Close-Reading-Strategies-Bookmarks-1878903" target="_blank">Close Reading Strategies Bookmarks</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphs-Galore-with-the-Entire-Graphing-Gang-Sets-1-and-2-Bundle-1757984" target="_blank">Graphs Galore Bundle</a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lillys-Bright-Sassy-Binder-Covers-Editable-1240263" target="_blank">Lilly's Bright Sassy Binder Covers</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-for-the-Beginning-Reader-1670608" target="_blank">Comprehension for the Beginning Reader</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Im-a-Digital-Citizen-Digital-Citizenship-Poster-Pack-with-Minilessons-1697685" target="_blank">Digital Citizenship Poster Pack with Mini Lessons</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Strategy-Checklist-Guided-Reading-Level-Skill-Progression-1356986" target="_blank">Reading Strategy Checklist</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Discover-America-Texas-An-Integrated-Reading-Social-Studies-Geography-Unit-1748579" target="_blank">Discover America: Texas ~ An Integrated Reading, Social Studies &amp; Geography Unit</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shape-Posters-Polka-Dot-1788190" target="_blank">Shape Posters</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Llama-Llama-Craftivity-813406" target="_blank">Llama Llama Craftivity</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Newsletter-Templates-20-Editable-Templates-1807896" target="_blank">Newsletter Templates&nbsp;</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/California-Regions-Photo-File-1872770" target="_blank">California Regions Photo File</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Substitute-Teacher-Binder-Editable-Pack-1283173" target="_blank">Substitute Teacher Pack</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Colorful-Genre-Posters-571689" target="_blank">Colorful Genre Posters</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Awesome-Array-Activities-to-Build-Multiplication-Skills-1214422" target="_blank">Awesome Array Activity to Build Multiplication Skills</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Journal-Place-Value-Edition-1517015" target="_blank">Math Journal (Place Value)</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Text-Dependent-Questions-and-Reading-Response-Task-Cards-for-Close-Reading-CCSS-1629822" target="_blank">Task Cards for Close Reading</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Name-Tags-Editable-1616165" target="_blank">Name Tags - Editable</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-Me-1421870" target="_blank">All About Me&nbsp;</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Notecards-for-Teachers-Printable-Triple-Design-Bundle-1504870" target="_blank">Notecards for Teachers</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Reading-Packet-1866672" target="_blank">Summer Reading Packet</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Create-a-Class-Instagram-1785067" target="_blank">Create A Class Instagram</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CVC-Sliders-Phoneme-Segmentation-1812478" target="_blank">CVC Sliders {Phoneme Segmentation}&nbsp;</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Owl-Style-Word-Wall-821169" target="_blank">Old Style Word Wall</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="2b5b036b1" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b5b036b1/" id="rcwidget_ibhhkhvg" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br /><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-91891258092124445552015-04-02T03:47:00.000-07:002015-04-02T03:47:34.794-07:00Educents Launch and Giveaway!!!<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLOKN4MMoyc/VRi2xH6F0NI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/2e0uMLNbgSg/s1600/picture1.png" style="display: none;" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLOKN4MMoyc/VRi2xH6F0NI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/2e0uMLNbgSg/s1600/picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLOKN4MMoyc/VRi2xH6F0NI/AAAAAAAAK2Y/2e0uMLNbgSg/s1600/picture1.png" height="228" width="640" /></a></div>We've got great news!!! Educents is opening a marketplace, which means now you can purchase items from seller stores any day!! That is in addition to the great deals they already offer! There are over 500 stores in the marketplace for you to save some money!!<br />Some great bloggers and I are joining together on this blog hop to introduce ourselves and show you the great products we have in our stores!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GH5fEhRljcI/VRi2v3j_ElI/AAAAAAAAK2E/MCDBduBJbNk/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GH5fEhRljcI/VRi2v3j_ElI/AAAAAAAAK2E/MCDBduBJbNk/s1600/Picture2.png" height="115" width="400" /></a></div>I'm currently a second grade teacher, working in Florida! (In my previous life I taught middle school science. And it was awesome.) I started my blog and Educents store because I LOVE sharing resources and learning from others! I hope that you find something to inspire you as well. If you are interested, you can check out my Educents store front by clicking....<a href="http://www.educents.com/joyful-rigor-with-ms-jones" target="_blank">HERE</a> or on the button below --&gt;<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.educents.com/joyful-rigor-with-ms-jones" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.educents.com/joyful-rigor-with-ms-jones" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vC79WCtktTs/VRybKgAP6cI/AAAAAAAAAdc/tQVJidlyuxA/s1600/11110455_10152706692271976_1335746908614385543_n.jpg" /></a></div><br />Customer Tips:<br />Be the first to know about my <b>new discounts, freebies and product launches</b>!<br />Look for the <u><b>gray heart</b></u> next to my store logo and <b>click it to become a follower</b>. Voila! You will now receive updates about this store.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weKV9v6JGI0/VRyaxX5Vg0I/AAAAAAAAAdU/d-KKjNuyL0M/s1600/Grey%2BHeart.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-weKV9v6JGI0/VRyaxX5Vg0I/AAAAAAAAAdU/d-KKjNuyL0M/s1600/Grey%2BHeart.tiff" height="181" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eyCRxBwFHeY/VRi2wEVJZZI/AAAAAAAAK2I/vsPa2LUU6Kc/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eyCRxBwFHeY/VRi2wEVJZZI/AAAAAAAAK2I/vsPa2LUU6Kc/s1600/Picture4.png" height="113" width="400" /></a></div>I wanted to share my FREEBIE with you! I use this in my own class during individual student reading conferences. It's also a WONDERFUL tool to use during parent conferences or RTI meetings. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.educents.com/reading-conference-log.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.educents.com/reading-conference-log.html" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ke_lq6onyE/VRyU5RVtj-I/AAAAAAAAAdE/Q1JZEMZeX5M/s1600/Reading%2BConference%2BLog%2BPic.tiff" height="320" width="244" /><span id="goog_536418656"></span></a><span id="goog_536418657"></span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmpHrqmNSKo/VRi2w1aIqqI/AAAAAAAAK2U/Us60ARKH2GY/s1600/Picture5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmpHrqmNSKo/VRi2w1aIqqI/AAAAAAAAK2U/Us60ARKH2GY/s1600/Picture5.png" height="113" width="400" /></a></div>Enter below to win!! Good luck!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="e-widget no-button" href="https://gleam.io/QFA9h/educents-marketplace-50-in-edubucks-giveaway-3-second-grade-stores" rel="nofollow">Educents Marketplace $50 in Edubucks Giveaway #3 - Second Grade Stores</a><script async="true" src="https://js.gleam.io/e.js" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><!-- start InLinkz script --> <br /><div class="InLinkzContainer" id="511003"><a href="http://new.inlinkz.com/luwpview.php?id=511003" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up</a></div><script src="//static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js?v=116" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- end InLinkz script --> Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-10184634065735318612015-03-18T16:33:00.000-07:002015-03-18T17:05:11.721-07:0031 Crazy Ways Your Life Changes When You Move From Teaching Middle School to Elementary<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUQYI5NE_Nc/VQnl-jKD4EI/AAAAAAAAAa0/r63WC_bbs7g/s1600/Slide1.jpg" style="display: none;" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUQYI5NE_Nc/VQnl-jKD4EI/AAAAAAAAAa0/r63WC_bbs7g/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mUQYI5NE_Nc/VQnl-jKD4EI/AAAAAAAAAa0/r63WC_bbs7g/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As some of you may know, I taught middle school (science!!) for 7 years, and this year I moved down to <b>second grade.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">&lt;Insert 'holy cow' gasp here&gt;</span></i> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">For many many years I often looked upon the lower elementary world as one that was filled with teachers who had clearly lost their minds. I mean, who would EVER want to deal with all of THAT?! <i>&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"No thank you. I'll stick with my hormone-riddled teenagers, thanks." </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know where to begin explaining the culture shock that hit on day one - with temper tantrums, pee-pee accidents, and their general all-over-the-placeness. However, now that I'm a good 2/3 of the way through (surviving) my first year in second grade, I can honestly say that I <span style="font-size: large;"><b>love </b></span>it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Does that mean it's always perfectly smooth and my class is full of angels?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....no.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, I AM learning to find the humor in their craziness, and I know that I've become a more compassionate person as a result of my time with these precious kiddos.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Without further adieu, here are 31 ways your life changes when you move from middle school to elementary: </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Top of the list has to be the ever impending threat of getting covered in drool.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Your voice changes from your normal speaking voice, to some unrecognizable cartoon version of yourself. Think: teacher voice on helium.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. No one gets your sarcastic comments or jokes. No one. Ever. #crickets</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Holidays. They were once celebrated by simply drawing a shamrock, a heart, a Christmas tree, a jack-o-lantern, or other holiday insignia on the whiteboard, usually under the date. That's it. Not anymore my friends. NOW, you are expected to throw a full blown party, with treats, decorations, games, goodie bags, parents, the whole nine yards. PLUS, it appears the norm is to ensure that all their work for the week prior to said holiday incorporates holiday appropriate clip art, you know, to make it festive. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Middle School</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NT2n9gK906Y/VQn5EiVLjBI/AAAAAAAAAbU/6dD9DZC43Ak/s1600/Turkey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NT2n9gK906Y/VQn5EiVLjBI/AAAAAAAAAbU/6dD9DZC43Ak/s1600/Turkey.png" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Elementary</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vrHbj5rBgI/VQn5ZSTFGkI/AAAAAAAAAbc/xL869gpF2JQ/s1600/Turkey%2B2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vrHbj5rBgI/VQn5ZSTFGkI/AAAAAAAAAbc/xL869gpF2JQ/s1600/Turkey%2B2.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. You get called Mom or Momma about 582 times a day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">6. Band-aids have magical healing powers. Able to stop crying at a moment's notice. <i>&nbsp;</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>(Especially where there is no real boo-boo.) </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhkrInc2B2U/VQnznqgoRlI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uAKGllO__x8/s1600/The-Power-of-Belief-in-Healing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XhkrInc2B2U/VQnznqgoRlI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uAKGllO__x8/s1600/The-Power-of-Belief-in-Healing.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">7. Which brings me to my next point. There's the crying. So. Much. Crying. All. The. Time. But don't worry, you will quickly become immune to the sound, and tears will have no effect on your emotions. Give it three days. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">8. You feel like a famous pop star as you circulate through your classroom. All your students randomly want to hug you or hold your hand in the middle of teaching a lesson - just because you walked by. If you walk by their desk they WILL reach out and try to grab you, much like the way teenage girls would reach out to grab one of the Jonas Brothers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">9. Temper tantrums. (Don't underestimate their power to ruin your beautifully planned lesson.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">10. EVERYTHING becomes a chew toy. You will need to keep all your fancy Flair pens in an undisclosed location. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">11. You somehow find yourself knowing all the words to every song from Frozen. (...and you can't decide if you hate yourself for it, or if you secretly love it.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">12. You will be able to turn any lesson into an impromptu song. Often, based on your favorite Frozen tune.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">13. Anchor charts for dayzzzz. Not to mention the unspoken pressure to make them 'cute'. Simply jotting down a few ideas on chart paper will not do. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Middle School</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bS_odQl48aI/VQn_SU3WetI/AAAAAAAAAbs/fCFUMXwDIk4/s1600/MS%2BGuided%2BReading.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bS_odQl48aI/VQn_SU3WetI/AAAAAAAAAbs/fCFUMXwDIk4/s1600/MS%2BGuided%2BReading.png" height="320" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Elementary</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0YZy_vIcQk/VQn_aX6E0vI/AAAAAAAAAb0/2CPjai-Z1zs/s1600/Elementary%2Banchor%2Bchart.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0YZy_vIcQk/VQn_aX6E0vI/AAAAAAAAAb0/2CPjai-Z1zs/s1600/Elementary%2Banchor%2Bchart.tiff" height="238" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">14. You find yourself saying things you never imagined would come out of your mouth.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Please stop licking your shoe."&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">"We don't eat playground mulch."&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">"2nd graders don't eat their math test."</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Class, we are going to ignore &lt;child's name&gt; rolling himself up like a burrito in our carpet."</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Just step over that puddle of pee."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">15. You can tie shoes and teach at the same time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">16. You become an expert at braiding hair.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">17. You know WAY more about the lives of your kids' parents than you ever. wanted. to. know. You will have to pretend that you DON'T know when they come in for a conference. You may want to practice looking people in the eye without giggling, just in case. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">18. Pee. Having puddles of urine appear on the floor is "normal". God save us all on the day it's something worse...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">19. You may receive chocolate from your student who has clearly been holding it in their warm, sweaty palm for the last 20 minutes. All you can do is accept it, smile, and then lovingly tell them you'll save it for later.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">20. Three words: zero social intelligence. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">21. Tattling. &nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">22. Your kids will believe ANYTHING you say! The moon really is made of cheese? Sure! Cows can walk on water? Absolutely! Touching your Elf on the Shelf will take his magic away? Of course!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">23. Walking in the hall is a lot like herding cats.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">24. You can no longer count the number of times you've watched a kid eat their own boogers on one hand...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">25. When you're not looking, pencils fall into some unknown black hole and are never to be seen again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">26. You can count on someone wanting to tell you the longest story ever at exactly the worst possible moment of the day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">27. You swear you must be in your first year of teaching all over again. None of the tricks you used with your middle schoolers has any effect on seven-year-olds. And they can smell fear.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">28. When you accidentally make eye contact with a student who should be working quietly, they suddenly think of a question and throw their hand in the air like it's the most important question they've ever had. Then, when you get there, they have to stall while they think of a question to ask you. You're convinced they just like getting you to walk across the room to see how many times you'll do it in one day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">29. Your students will misspell words and write cuss words instead, and you have to pretend like it's not funny so they don't see you laughing at them. Harder than it looks folks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVxEOkSp-6k/VQoH399qO5I/AAAAAAAAAcE/mU3NMkKbGaQ/s1600/sheet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVxEOkSp-6k/VQoH399qO5I/AAAAAAAAAcE/mU3NMkKbGaQ/s1600/sheet.png" height="320" width="180" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">30. Stuffed animals are the COOLEST! Students will do ANYTHING to hold one. They will ask you a thousand times if they can bring their own from home. And the one time you let your kids bring them in, absolutely NO learning gets done that day. Lesson learned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">31. Last but not least, your kids will think that you are the greatest person alive. They will shower you with love every single day and totally make all the other stuff <b>well</b> worth the trouble.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love my crazy little kiddos. :-)&nbsp; </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-46749563322919450152015-03-13T03:00:00.000-07:002015-03-13T03:00:10.422-07:00Better Late Than Never Blog Reveal and Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1yD9mxNWJY/VQJZJw_NYEI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/8xpKdRvFfgk/s1600/Slide1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1yD9mxNWJY/VQJZJw_NYEI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/8xpKdRvFfgk/s1600/Slide1.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Oops.&nbsp;</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Somehow it's been almost a <u><b>MONTH</b></u> since I rolled out my brand new blog <i>(designed by the amazing Alexis at <a href="http://www.laugheatlearn.com/" target="_blank">Laugh Eat Learn</a> who is amazing and you should totally ask her to design...ANYTHING) </i>and I haven't hosted a giveaway yet to celebrate!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How did this happen?!?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>(Answer: LIFE.)</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Anyhoo. I'd like to set things right, and since it's better late than never,<b> </b>here are two awesome prizes you can enter to WIN!</i><br /><br /><i>To celebrate, both Alexis and I are giving away a great prize to two lucky winners!!&nbsp;</i><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Enter below to win! </b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'm giving away a&nbsp;</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>$25 TpT Gift Card! </i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxsB0fhM1-s/VQJRObIMG5I/AAAAAAAAAZU/xFMFOKOg8Wg/s1600/TpT%2BGift%2BCard%2BPic.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RxsB0fhM1-s/VQJRObIMG5I/AAAAAAAAAZU/xFMFOKOg8Wg/s1600/TpT%2BGift%2BCard%2BPic.tiff" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="4bfc1cf11" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4bfc1cf11/" id="rcwidget_012atgsn" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and Alexis is giving away</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>$50 to use towards a custom blog design!</b>&nbsp;</i></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH3DIjviFHc/VQJRxN44c4I/AAAAAAAAAZc/JQpiNYrRxus/s1600/TpT%2BGiveaway%2BPic.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WH3DIjviFHc/VQJRxN44c4I/AAAAAAAAAZc/JQpiNYrRxus/s1600/TpT%2BGiveaway%2BPic.tiff" /></a><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="rcptr" data-raflid="4bfc1cf12" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4bfc1cf12/" id="rcwidget_y9s38twh" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;Good luck! And thanks for visiting my little space on the interwebs! :-)</div><center><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></center><center></center><center></center><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-15199905111182830232015-03-01T17:46:00.002-08:002015-03-01T17:51:55.769-08:00March Currently <div style="text-align: center;">So first, how in the world did it get to be March already!?!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">That means spring break is right around the corner, then spring testing, and then summer! It's crazy to think about how fast this part of the year always seems to flyyyyyy right by.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm linking up with Farley at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh Boy Fourth Grade</a> to share what's currently going on in my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrxwwEng6ao/VPO9fAGxmJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/OVUu-AwdZOQ/s1600/Slide1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FrxwwEng6ao/VPO9fAGxmJI/AAAAAAAAAYg/OVUu-AwdZOQ/s1600/Slide1.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Listening:</b> I've had HGTV on all weekend long! We are currently looking for our first house so I'm officially becoming addicted to watching all these house renovation shows! My favorite is Fixer Upper. (Which always reminds me of the song in Frozen...but we won't go there.)&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are your favorite shows?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Loving:</b> We are just getting into arrays right now in math, and it is so much fun! It's been a much needed break from the addition and subtraction we've been doing for what seems like months now. (Snooze fest....ZzzzzzZzzz)</div><div style="text-align: center;">My kids are catching on super quick too, which just makes it even more enjoyable :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thinking:</b> I have a few very challenging kiddos in my class this year. They've been challenging for their teachers the last few years, so I knew what I was in for, at least. Lately I haven't been getting enough sleep, I've been dealing with some health issues, and adding the stress of finding a house that we can move my in-laws into, all on top of the every day grind of teaching tiny little humans....</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and I've got myself some stress.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Due to all the stress I haven't shown a much patience with my kiddos as normal, and it shows. I need to step back and take a few deep breaths.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wanting:</b> Well, I think I covered this already...but I really want to find a move-in-ready home, for the most part. I love the idea of renovating, but it also just seems like a TON of added stress. If the house gods can make that work for me I'll even do a fancy house dance....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Needing:</b> SLEEP! I love my pillow. We need more quality time together. He's making googly eyes at me right now, in fact...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Spring Break plans:</b> Oh yeah, we're gonna get our party on!! (not).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Buying a house. It's like we're adults or something. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I still want to find a way to unplug for a couple of days. We'll have to work on that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you have an amazing week!! Happy Sunday! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-16632366722009407102015-02-26T17:57:00.000-08:002015-02-26T20:03:33.106-08:00Getting Students to LOVE Reading (with 2 FREEBIES)<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1bh67kZcw/VO6QFo1yfvI/AAAAAAAAAWw/i8Yp2rEmXCE/s1600/Slide1.png" style="display: none;" /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1bh67kZcw/VO6QFo1yfvI/AAAAAAAAAWw/i8Yp2rEmXCE/s1600/Slide1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX1bh67kZcw/VO6QFo1yfvI/AAAAAAAAAWw/i8Yp2rEmXCE/s1600/Slide1.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not gonna lie, I'm <strike>a little</strike> <i>very</i> nervous to write this post. I'm no where near an expert on teaching reading and I've never been formally trained in how to teach kids to read. Frankly, this is my first year teaching reading as a true content area. I taught middle school science for 7 years, and just moved down to second grade this year. I always had a strong literacy focus in my classroom, but science still took the lead. Now I'm teaching kids who are just learning to read. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Enter panic attack here.</b></i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEdoiCzlu6w/VO-9kbvD_EI/AAAAAAAAAXE/s3YNF533VMk/s1600/scared.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SEdoiCzlu6w/VO-9kbvD_EI/AAAAAAAAAXE/s3YNF533VMk/s1600/scared.gif" /></a></div>Dramatic? Prolly. <br />But I'm sure I'm not the only teacher who's felt that way... <i>(Can I get an amen?)</i><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was inspired to write this post <u>BECAUSE</u> I'm <b>not</b> an expert and I hope that by sharing some of what I've found to work in my own <i>(not always perfect and "learning is messy" style)</i> classroom, I can help you find a way to encourage your own students to fall in love with reading!&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Like most of you, this year I was faced with the challenge of getting students who are all over the spectrum as far as reading ability. I have a few kids who are on or above grade level, a few who are on or just below grade level, then a sizable chunk who came in well below grade level. As a newbie in second grade this has been daunting, to say the least. I know that in order for my students to grow as much as they need, and to continue to become lifelong learners, they <b>HAVE</b> to <b>LOVE</b> reading. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have tried several things in my class to try and foster the love and joy I want to see when my kids read.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some have worked! <span style="font-size: small;"><i>(insert happy dance)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some have totally bombed. <span style="font-size: small;"><i>(womp womp)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few that have been impactful for my kids:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1) READ! </b></span>It can't get more simple. If we want our kids to read, we have to model that for them. I keep the book I'm currently reading in my classroom and pull it out when my kids are reading independently so they can see me reading too! They LOVE finding out about my book and are always curious about how many pages it has :-)&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) Share Your Reading. </b></span>Not only do our kids need to SEE us reading, but they need to HEAR our love of reading! They need to know how excited we are to read a new book and <strike>hear what we learn from it</strike> feel like learning something new from reading is the single GREATEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO THEM IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. This is where we, the teachers, turn it "on" and perform. We talk up our newest book like it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, we speak with enthusiasm about the characters or the information it contains, and we tell them WHY we love it so much! We know that what we love, our kids end up loving. This is also true of reading. The more we share our own love of reading, the more they will love it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3) Reading Buddies!</b></span> I ever-so-strategically paired my students up into reading buddies this year. (The buddies are carefully chosen based on reading level and personality.) Reading Buddies work together in several different parts of our day. First, in our close reading lessons, students pair up to read together. This usually happens on the second day with a text, after the initial read. Reading Buddies alternate reading aloud to each other, then they work together to answer text dependent questions about what they read. This has been marvelous! My students who struggle with reading and/or comprehension now have a friend to support them and their confidence has shot through the roof! </div><div style="text-align: left;">Reading Buddies also pair up at the end of the day to read their own independent reading books aloud to each other. Even my most reluctant readers love this time so much that they beg me for it more often! <b>#winning</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3j_T1uGxmQ/VO_BvGQNjOI/AAAAAAAAAXY/IYdEmVPRuck/s1600/Reading%2BBuddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3j_T1uGxmQ/VO_BvGQNjOI/AAAAAAAAAXY/IYdEmVPRuck/s1600/Reading%2BBuddies.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">4) Student Read-Aloud Time.</span> </b>Something that is quickly becoming one of our favorite times of the day is during our snack and read-aloud. Each day I choose one student who gets to read the book of their choice to the class while they eat their snack. They weren't too sure about this at first, but now it's something they look forward to!! They LOVE showing off for their friends and they LOVE listening to each other read. This teacher is happy :-)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5) Turn Reading into a FUN Challenge!</b></span>&nbsp; </span></span>Make reading fun by<b> </b>investing your kids in a class challenge. In our class, we took on the challenge of reading 100 books!!! When I first introduced this challenge my kids thought I was crazy. They couldn't imagine we'd ever read that many books. Now, we are working on our second "100 Books Challenge"! The best part? THEY get to write the title of their book on the chart when they finish it! And it hangs in the hallway...so that's a BIG deal.&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzie2-aoBGw/VO_F46kElTI/AAAAAAAAAXk/jkWNut8jUhE/s1600/100%2Bbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nzie2-aoBGw/VO_F46kElTI/AAAAAAAAAXk/jkWNut8jUhE/s1600/100%2Bbooks.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>You might ask how do I keep track of the books and make sure they are actually reading them?? Don't worry...I have an answer for that! <b>Book reports!</b> When a student finishes a book, they have to complete a one page book report about what they read <i>(hello easy comprehension check!)</i> I have two different reports: one for fiction and one for nonfiction. (Click on the picture to download for FREE!)<br /><br />Disclaimer: They aren't fancy...just effective!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fiction-Book-Report-1734701" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fiction-Book-Report-1734701" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8HoSTSlbHOM/VO_IjYytHnI/AAAAAAAAAXw/-BNTpXT_A0o/s1600/Book%2BReport.tiff" height="320" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Non-FIction-Book-Report-1734712" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Non-FIction-Book-Report-1734712" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9-wcFdTu-E4/VO_Ijb0CcSI/AAAAAAAAAX0/FcbKEqV138c/s1600/Nonfiction%2BBook%2BReport.tiff" height="320" width="241" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's all! I tried to limit myself to just trying a few things this year, so I wouldn't overwhelm myself..or my students! I'm sure I'll try some of these again next year, and add a few more. For now, this is doing wonders for our class!! </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I hope that these ideas help to spark that joy for reading in your students like it has for mine! I'd love to hear YOUR ideas!!</b></div><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-91231100154323401362015-02-20T14:54:00.000-08:002015-02-22T14:24:21.221-08:00Five for Friday!<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wvSP5gHQSg/VOe3yDZhkaI/AAAAAAAAAVE/RqdfYmyOjDE/s1600/fiveforfriday2.jpg" style="display: none;" /> <br /><center><div class="MsoNormal">I’m linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for the infamous <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/02/five-for-friday-linky-party-february_20.html" target="_blank">Five for Friday</a>! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(For the FIRST time! Woo!!)</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/02/five-for-friday-linky-party-february_20.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/02/five-for-friday-linky-party-february_20.html" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wvSP5gHQSg/VOe3yDZhkaI/AAAAAAAAAVE/RqdfYmyOjDE/s1600/fiveforfriday2.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I think the first things I have to mention is obviously my BRAND NEW BLOG! (Isn’t it cute??) Designed by the lovely Alexis at <a href="http://www.laugheatlearn.com/" target="_blank">Laugh EatLearn</a>. I’m a new blogger and I’m excited to start this adventure!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://joyfulrigorwithmsjones.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://joyfulrigorwithmsjones.blogspot.com/" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N12UfVPhVhc/VOe37gYckfI/AAAAAAAAAVM/5wqDEnC_brA/s1600/Joyful-Button-3.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I just bought this book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Worksheets-Dont-Grow-Dendrites-Instructional/dp/1412978505/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1424472959&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=worksheets+don%27t+grow+dendrites" target="_blank">Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: 20Instructional Strategies that Engage the Brain</a>! I’ve been struggling lately with how boring our curriculum is. (NOT a statement about my colleagues who plan other subjects for our team! They are wonderful! Our curriculum is just so BLAH.) I have been looking for ways to spice up the activities (worksheets) we always use to make them more engaging for my students. It hasn’t gotten here yet, but I’m excited to read and find some inspiration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atnZZLXGwjU/VOe4glvttxI/AAAAAAAAAVc/W8KuqPc6qEk/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-atnZZLXGwjU/VOe4glvttxI/AAAAAAAAAVc/W8KuqPc6qEk/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I started pairing my students up as Reading Buddies this week. They get to share their favorite book with their partner, and then they switch and the other partner gets to share their favorite book. They absolutely LOVE it! They were SO excited to read out loud with their buddy, that even my most reluctant reader was itching for his turn! (Score!!!) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8RouuNtOYc/VOe4sGzNkCI/AAAAAAAAAVk/bxu1Fh--gqE/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O8RouuNtOYc/VOe4sGzNkCI/AAAAAAAAAVk/bxu1Fh--gqE/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">With the idea of switching up our learning activities, I also started letting students use a clipboard and sit anywhere around the room to complete their work. You would think I gave them candy or a new puppy...they were thrilled to get to move around and lounge while they worked. It was the quietest my classroom has been in a long time! Guess this will be a new staple for us!(Please ignore the rest of the messy room...)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc-zFEuHJeE/VOe5ePVbqDI/AAAAAAAAAVs/ZPlg-rl2ilY/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc-zFEuHJeE/VOe5ePVbqDI/AAAAAAAAAVs/ZPlg-rl2ilY/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Last, my principal was sweet enough to cater in lunch for us today! We had kind of a crazy week with unexpected things last minute, fire alarms, lots of subs in the building, etc etc. So, she bought us lunch! YUM!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XK6_i-jCdII/VOe6J2AySZI/AAAAAAAAAV0/5qnqSRDHT1Y/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XK6_i-jCdII/VOe6J2AySZI/AAAAAAAAAV0/5qnqSRDHT1Y/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Now I’m off to get firewood <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>so we don’t freeze tonight! </div>&nbsp; </center><center>&nbsp;</center><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-88492630824301747802015-02-17T04:10:00.000-08:002015-02-22T14:27:22.796-08:00Meet the Teacher: 10 Things About Me! <img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFHR8pg7xNM/Ugme1UDOr1I/AAAAAAAABl8/qd0kbKuOiNo/s1600/BHmonday.jpg" style="display: none;" /><br /><center> <div class="MsoNormal">Since I’m new to this whole blogging adventure, I figured you probably don’t know much about me yet. I would like to fix this by giving you a quick list of <b>10 random facts about myself</b>!<br /><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">I won’t venture to say that these are the 10 MOST important facts, but hopefully they’re interesting nonetheless. Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><img alt="" aria-label="Ten Fun Facts About Me and A Monday Made-It" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qFHR8pg7xNM/Ugme1UDOr1I/AAAAAAAABl8/qd0kbKuOiNo/s1600/BHmonday.jpg" height="265" id="yui_3_5_1_4_1424172189648_785" style="height: 265px; width: 640px;" width="640" /></div><div class="MsoNormal">1. I am a TWIN! My sister’s name is Lauren. She’s a Nurse Anesthetist. I prefer not to compare salaries with her. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">2. I taught middle school science for 7 years. It was the best. Science rules. I miss telling corny science jokes. <i>(What do you call two dinosaurs that have been in an accident? Tyrannosaurus wrecks)</i> or <i>(Q: What do chemists call a benzene ring with iron atoms replacing the carbon atoms? A: A ferrous wheel)</i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MongYA9t_7U/VOKszdw_v4I/AAAAAAAAAR8/JkpNcDRczGU/s1600/science%2Bjoke8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MongYA9t_7U/VOKszdw_v4I/AAAAAAAAAR8/JkpNcDRczGU/s1600/science%2Bjoke8.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></div><br /> <div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">3. Now I teach 2<sup>nd</sup> grade. It’s amazing. The kids are louder. And snottier. And they EAT everything. I mean they literally <b>consume</b> everything. But hey, they’re pretty freakin’ cute too. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">4. I’m from Atlanta! I love Atlanta. I miss Atlanta. Please don’t call it Hotlanta.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">5. I am TERRIFIED of spiders. We once lived in a house that was over run with wolf spiders. The big, hairy ones. And they would crawl in my bed at night. Then they would hide in my laundry, all stealthy like, and wait for me to find a shirt...then jump out at me. Therefore, I'm officially the world's best smasher of said wolf spiders. Lauren can verify this. #spidersareevil&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5fn66aCP7w/VOKt1mdKeFI/AAAAAAAAASE/Bo6qi9KqM6Y/s1600/australian_toilet_spider.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H5fn66aCP7w/VOKt1mdKeFI/AAAAAAAAASE/Bo6qi9KqM6Y/s1600/australian_toilet_spider.gif" height="236" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">6. I cannot live without coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal">This shirt was made for me.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83JMGhahwok/VOKvFB39qvI/AAAAAAAAASU/nql13nx0dvw/s1600/coffee%2Bhaiku.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-83JMGhahwok/VOKvFB39qvI/AAAAAAAAASU/nql13nx0dvw/s1600/coffee%2Bhaiku.png" height="320" width="277" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">7. I can’t whistle. Or wink. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">8. My favorite thing to buy is school supplies. Pens are the best.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">9. My college degree is from a different school than where I did 99.9% of my undergrad course work. Long story. It’s annoying. Oh well. Go Owls? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">10. I have a cat whose name is Cat.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></center><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6143536087879348236.post-79482799726371171422015-02-16T13:51:00.001-08:002015-02-16T13:54:03.217-08:00Hello Blogging World!!<center style="text-align: left;">Welcome! Thanks for stopping by to visit my very <b>FIRST</b> blog post! I cannot express how <i>thrilled</i> I am to finally have my own space on the interwebs to share my classroom ideas and to connect with other teacher bloggers out in the universe!&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">I started selling on <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Joyful-Rigor-With-Ms-Jones">TpT</a> about a year ago. Ever since, I also started stalking <i>(non-creepily of course)</i> a ton of teacher blogs, and I have been <b>blown away</b> by the inspiration I have gained from the incredible educators I've seen! I decided to take the leap and create my own blog about a month ago. It just so happened that at the same time the <b>AMAZING </b>Alexis Sanchez over at <a href="http://www.laugheatlearn.com/p/designs-by-alexis.html">Laugh Eat Learn</a>&nbsp;posted something on <a href="http://instagram.com/joyfulrigorwithmsjones/">Instagram</a> about her creations and the possibility of designing blogs. After looking at her own blog and other designs I knew she would be the right person to design mine. I was right. This girl does NOT disappoint! Her design is beautiful, and she was a <b>DREAM</b> to work with! I could not be happier with the process or the results!&nbsp;</center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PZjxtgvNfE/VOJk6BcyxYI/AAAAAAAAARM/L4Ng-VErOKs/s1600/Joyful-Button-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PZjxtgvNfE/VOJk6BcyxYI/AAAAAAAAARM/L4Ng-VErOKs/s1600/Joyful-Button-3.png" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"></center><center style="text-align: left;">Come back in the next few days to learn more about <b>me</b> and <b>my classroom</b>! In the future, I plan on sharing my own classroom ideas, resources, inspirational stuff, best practices, and the obligatory funny videos, student quotes, and anything else that makes me smile :-)&nbsp;</center><center></center><center><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8H1fVu7d8M/VOEpu8bzncI/AAAAAAAAzdI/DBL96k2huNI/s1600/Signature1a.png" /></center>Brookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00681242731337059188noreply@blogger.com10